Supervisory Training Instructor (Canine)

Transportation Security Administration•San Antonio, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisory Training Instructor (Canine) works in the Canine Training Center (CTC), part of TSA Training and Development, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas. The CTC is designated as TSA’s Center for Excellence and is the Department of Homeland Security’s largest explosives detection canine program. Its campus includes training labs simulating transportation environments such as airport terminals, aircraft, and rail systems. The incumbent designs, develops, revises, and teaches complex subject matter for basic and advanced canine training programs, ensuring effective delivery aligned with Training and Development and National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program goals. The role serves as a TSA subject-matter expert in canine training and may represent TSA at interagency, inter-governmental, international, and stakeholder meetings, symposia, and conferences. The instructor advises management on program effectiveness and operational issues, recommends corrective actions, oversees implementation, and assesses the results. The position also develops and maintains collaborative relationships with law enforcement organizations supporting canine programs and teams.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status.
Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
Favorable background investigation and ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Selective Service registration, if applicable.
One year of specialized experience at the SV-I or GS-13 level in Federal service, or equivalent private-sector experience.
Experience developing and implementing canine training programs to meet organizational goals and objectives and comply with government regulations and policies.
Experience overseeing training and evaluation of canine handlers and explosives detection canines.
Experience advising management on program effectiveness and efficiency, identifying operational concerns, and recommending corrective actions.
Ability to work outdoors, often in adverse weather, and perform physical tasks such as walking, bending, standing, and lifting dogs weighing up to 80 pounds or heavy supplies.
Ability to work with potentially hazardous chemicals, including explosives, and around potentially dangerous dogs.
Must satisfy applicable pre-employment and supervisory probationary requirements.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, revise, and instruct complex subject matter for basic and advanced canine training programs.
Ensure canine training programs are delivered effectively and efficiently and meet Training and Development and National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program goals and objectives.
Serve as a TSA subject-matter expert in canine training.
Represent TSA, as needed, at interagency, inter-governmental, international, and stakeholder meetings, symposia, or conferences.
Advise management on the operational effectiveness and efficiency of assigned programs.
Recommend responses to areas of concern, oversee implementation of corrective actions, and assess whether solutions are effective.
Advise management on unusual or complex operational issues.
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with law enforcement organizations at multiple levels in support of their canine programs and teams.
Oversee matters related to the training and evaluation of canine handlers and explosives detection canines.